AEulogyforDr.MartinLutherKingJr.
By:RobertF.Kennedy
TextDependentandComprehensionQuestions
Reread lines 1-13. Describe the effect the use
of repetition might have had on a roomful of
hurt and angry people. Cite textual evidence.
Reread lines 6-13. How does Kennedy use
parallelism to emphasize the potential for
American society to become more divided?
What options does Kennedy offer to the
audience in lines 14-16. Why does he suggest
offers and options?
What is Kennedy referencing in lines 18-23?
Why does he mention this? Cite the line.
Paraphrase the advice Kennedy gives his
In this difficult day, in this difficult time for
the United States (line 6). By repeating
the word difficult, Kennedy reassures his
audience that it is okay to be angry and
hurt for it is a difficult time.
In lines 6-13, Kennedy repeats the phrase
filled with hatred, thus emphasizing that
because of this tragic event, tensions are
running high between the black and white
races.
Kennedy offers to his audience that we
should replace violence towards one
another with an effort to understand with
compassion and love. Robert decided to
suggest these options for if it wasnt
mentioned, there may have been a
possibility that our nation would be split
upon races.
I had a member of family killed, but he
was killed by a white man. (line 21). In
this line he mentions how one of his
family members was killed to reveal to his
audience that he has felt the same way
before, making him more relatable.
During lines 27-46 Kennedy advises his
audience in lines 27-46. Why give this
advice? Whats the purpose? How does it help for we do not need hatred or violence
in this difficult time?
How did Kennedy use Kings ideas to help
bring
people together? Cite textual evidence.
How does the tone of the speech
help people deal with this crisis?
What themes does Kennedy keep bringing
up?
Cite textual evidence.
What is the central idea that Kennedy brings
up in his speech? Do you think it is an
effective eulogy? Do you think it adequately
honored King? Why or why not? Cite textual
evidence.
audience to work together and try to unite
because either way, one race is suffering
either way. Kennedy gives this advice in
order to bring to the audiences attention
that this sort of violence is unnecessary
and that we should be compassionate
towards each other no matter the race.
This advice helps during this difficult time
for resolving the conflict between races
would seem as if we were completing
MLKs unfinished task.
Or we can make an effort, as Martin
Luther King did, to understand and to
comprehend.. (lines 14-15). Kennedy
uses MLKs belief that we should make
an effort to understand each other, which
influences his audience to ask
themselves, maybe I should, thus
somewhat helping the races unite.
We can do well in this country. (line 36).
Throughout the speech, Kennedy upholds
a hopeful tone throughout the speech,
often mentioning the theme that although
there is tension, the people of different
races need to unite.
Let us dedicate ourselves to what the
Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame
the savageness of man and to make
gentle the life of this world. (lines 43-44).
The central idea that Kennedy brings up
is that we must unite as one despite the
tragic event that has occurred. I
personally believed it was an effective
eulogy for Kennedy basically brought to
the audiences attention that the races
need to join together as one. Since he
mentioned this idea, it also adequately
honored King for that was his main dream
during his I Have a Dream speech.